Losing an expensive pair of headphones is no fun, so Apple is taking some steps to prevent this from happening with your shiny new set of AirPods.
According to the Wall Street Journal, iOS 10.3 will comes along with a ‘Find My AirPods’ feature, which will be integrated into the existing Find My iPhone app.
While the earphones themselves don’t have built-in GPS, Apple is able to guesstimate their location based on the last time they were in Bluetooth range of your own device. You’ll see them plotted in a map, as with a lost iPhone, albeit with less precision.
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If your AirPods are out of battery though, you’re out of luck. It’s also not clear how Apple handles losing a single AirPod out of Bluetooth range, but I imagine it’s the same as losing the entire kit.
It’s a welcome feature that’s a much better alternative to paying up $69 for a replacement. Frankly, it’s a little surprising Apple didn’t implement it at launch (especially given the hefty delay), but better late than never. And if you’re worried about someone stealing your AirPods, may I suggest a dental floss disguise?
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